Below is the response I posted on this topic.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote from: ...on October 18, 2009, 09:30:55 PM
Above is a copy of the mission statement for GAF........Grand Army of the Frontier. Somewhere along the line they have added a Wild Bunch Match as a side match....the foreign guns and the WB match was the last straw for me and I have asked Pitsptr to remove my name from the GAF roster.
I'm personally tired of the Nagants, Finns and what ever else has been used in the GAF matches....now before this gets to be a mud slinging post I want to say that this my personal view and I hope that those involved with GAF in its present form continue to enjoy it.
What I propose is a new organization that we could call the Grand Army of the North America Frontier, or GANAF, if you will. This would include any military firearms used in American and Canadian military encounters & battles prior to 1900. With principles and by-laws based on NCOWS. This could also include mounted cavalry units as well for those of us that have horses and tack.
I'm just throwing this out there to see what kind of reaction I get to this proposal.
Thanking you in advance for your consideration.
End quote
The Grand Army of the Frontier (GAF) focuses on the late Victorian era military, roughly defined as 1860-1900. As you know, we got our start by SASS and NCOWS members who liked to dress in a uniform instead of as a cowboy, lawman, outlaw, etc. However, if NCOWS (or SASS) wants to include a "military" category I'm all for it. The more uniforms the better as we should not forget the soldier who protected our citizens.
Our Grand Musters (matches) reflects this timeframe both in firearms and clothing. If you were to attend a Grand Muster you would note a preponderance of US military issue trapdoors, Spencers, Krags, and a few Sharps or Rolling Blocks in our main matches. You would see a Martini-Henry. You would also see a whole lot of pistol caliber lever actions. Almost all the pistols would be US SA or DA revolvers.
Overall there is a scarcity of non-US and non-British firearms at our matches. Most of the firearms that you so strenously object to are used by our members in Europe because these are more readily available over there and those members, for obvious reasons, want to honor the militaries of their own countries. However, if any of those GAF members were to attend a Grand Muster they would be allowed to shoot those firearms, and we would encourage them to do so as it would allow our members to see these firearms outside of a museum or book.
Secondly, as you point out, the so-call "Wild Bunch" stages are part of a SIDE MATCH and is only included at the discretion of the match director. These stages are based on General Pershing's expedition into Mexico in 1916 - not the movie - and are very popular with our shooters, but they are not part of the main match. At the 2009 Grand Muster many of those who participated in this side-match were attired in period-correct uniforms and equipment for the firearms they were shooting. I might add that some of the those who were active in participating in our first attempts at the "Wild Bunch" stages at an early Grand Muster are NCOWS members and even posters in this thread. None voiced any disapproval.
Thirdly, while our policies do allow the so-called Hollywood uniforms, the vast majority of our members dress in period-correct recreations of field and dress uniforms based on printed regulations, existing samples, photographs and contemporary descriptions. At the 2009 Grand Muster I did not see a single "Hollywood" uniform on the line or at the banquet. Many members have done extensive research into their uniforms, and great effort into putting it together. It has become increasingly difficult over the last few years to select the best uniforms worn at our Grand Musters.
Most of our uniformed competitors, I am sure and should they wish to do so, could easily fit into the NCOWS Originals without too much difficulty. Only those competitors who shoot in our Battle Rifle categories, attired in a period-correct uniform matched to the rifle being used, are eligible for our Brigade Champion Award. The winner of the Brigade Champion Award must place in both their shooting category and in the uniform competition.
The GAF does not require anyone to acquire or wear a uniform, or even to own or shoot a period military issue firearm. Consequently, we also have a "Scout" category which allows those without a uniform or period military issue rifle to shoot in our matches. However, most of our "Scouts" eventually get that uniform and rifle after they have seen how much fun it is.
Lastly, no GAF member is removed from our roster except for cause, though you may remove yourself from active status. I invite all of you to attend the 2010 Grand Muster to see how the GAF has grown over the last 8 years.
Bill Johnson
aka US Scout
Brigadier General
Commanding
Grand Army of the Frontier